History Oozing Out Of The Bricks

RNSM Guides with Chris Donnithorne
l-r John Buffrey, Pete Chilcott, Chris, Dennis Wade,
Denis King (photo taken by Charlie Hayward)

Today, myself and some of the other guides form the Royal Navy Submarine Museum who undertake heritage tours of Fort Blockhouse, were taken around the site by Chris Donnithorne site so that we could improve our knowledge. Chris has done much research on the history of the site and has gathered together a lot of material from a  variety of sources.

There is a likely history of a presence on the site since Roman times with the first records coming from the 15th century and then pretty much constant development. As one walks around the site it soon becomes pretty clear that it's possible to pick out any feature and realise that there is some tale or historical fact related to it: it might be the origins of Petrol Pier, the unique saluting guns, the world's first Attack Trainer or the fittings for the harbour boom. A few myths got debunked too.

• The recognisable fortifications date from the time of Queen Anne
• When the casemates were built in 1802, they were the first ones to be built since Henry VIII
• The only other saluting guns of the same type were to be found in Hong Kong and were probably returned when HK reverted back to the PRC
• There never were stables at Fort Blockhouse/HMS Dolphin
• The original (and existing) jetties, including Petrol Pier, were built in 1906

It's a truly fascinating site. Through the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, it's possible to organise a guided tour, and every September tours are organised as part of the borough wide Heritage Days

Plaque at the site of the first (of four) main gates

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